The gold medallist long distance runner spoke to children at Busy Bees Nursery, in Greenford Road, North Greenford on Monday (17) to get their Golden Mile scheme off to a running start.

Miss Holmes talked to 20 children aged two to five about eating healthily and lead a walking and running exercise.

Deputy nursery manager Finola Hayward said: "Kelly did walking, running and skipping with the pre-school children in the garden. The children were asking her questions like why she likes running and her favourite food."

The athlete showed the youngsters the two gold medals she won for the 800m and 1500m events at the Athens 2004 Games.

In the lead up to next year's London Olympics, the children will take part in sponsored healthy activities like walking to nursery. All money raised will go towards the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust to give young people the opportunity to succeed through sport.